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Singer JEWEL is urging world leaders to provide more affordable healthcare options for their citizens after once nearly dying of a kidney infection she couldn’t afford to treat.
The Who Will Save Your Soul hitmaker fell on hard times while struggling to launch a career in the entertainment industry and Jewel admits one of her first "luxuries" to go was her healthcare.
But now she’s able to provide for herself and her family, the new mum admits she’ll forever appreciate her good fortune as it allows her to seek medical help at any time - and she wants the same for all of her fans.
Speaking about what she values most, she tells Life & Style magazine, "To see a doctor any time I wanted, even if my insurance didn’t cover it… That was huge for me. Having been homeless for a year and almost dying of a kidney infection I couldn’t afford to treat, I still consider being able to afford medicine and doctors’ visits as two of my greatest luxuries."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Hundreds of fans and relatives of singer and Las Vegas cabaret star VIOLETTA VILLAS turned out to attend her funeral on Monday (19Dec11) as she was laid to rest in her native Poland.
Villas passed away at her home in the village of Lewin Klodzki in Poland on 5 December (11) at the age of 73.
A memorial service was held in Warsaw this week and crowds of devotees flooded to the Powazki cemetery to pay their last respects to the star, who performed with music icons Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and Eartha Kitt during her 1960s heyday.
Poland’s Culture Minister Bogdan Zdrojewski also paid tribute to Villas in a letter, which was read out at the funeral.
The message said, "She was exceptional, unusual, one of the best recognisable personalities on Poland’s musical stage in recent decades… (Her) unique talent and unconventional ways will not be forgotten."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

CHER’s son CHAZ BONO has called off his engagement and split from his longtime girlfriend.
The transgender star, who was born a girl, proposed to Jennifer Elia in 2009, but the pair put its wedding plans on hold while the reality TV star underwent extensive gender reassignment surgery.
Bono cemented their engagement by presenting Elia with a diamond ring during a birthday trip to Washington last month (Nov11), but now the couple has decided to call it quits.
Bono’s representative, Howard Bragman, tells TMZ.com, "They leave this relationship with great love, respect and affection toward one another. No further amplification will be forthcoming and they ask that you respect their privacy at this time."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Pop superstar LADY GAGA has regained control of her Twitter.com blog after falling victim to internet hackers.
The Poker Face hitmaker’s 17 million followers were surprised to see a message posted online on Monday morning (19Dec11) directing the singer’s fans, who she’s dubbed "little monsters", to a website with the promise of free Apple products.
The blog post read: "Monsters, I’m giving away FREE iPad2’s to each one of you in the spirit of the holidays ".
Another two similar messages were uploaded to the site within minutes of one another, but they were soon spotted by Gaga’s representatives, who promptly removed the text.
Gaga has since changed her login details to prevent further unauthorised posts and has now assured fans everything is back to normal.
Taking to Twitter.com on Monday afternoon, she writes, "Phew. The hacking is over! And just in time, I’m on my way to Japan! So excited to spend Xmastime with my TokyoMonsters!"

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

GLEE actress LEA MICHELE was forced to make her TV debut in 1995 without her mother on hand for support after she suffered a panic attack and refused to sit in on the programme.
The former child star was just nine years old when she featured on a special episode of popular US talk show Sally Jessy Raphael, titled I’m a Kid… & I’m Already a Star.
But when she arrived onstage to a sing a tune from her Broadway musical Les Miserables, Michele was crushed to discover her mum was nowhere in sight - and her seat had been taken by a random stanger.
She tells Allure magazine, "I remember my mother was so nervous, she couldn’t sit in the audience. So they put another woman in my mum’s seat. And it said under her name, ‘Lea’s mum.’"

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Police were called to the Los Angeles home of choreographer and filmmaker KENNY ORTEGA last week (ends16Dec11) after a burglary alarm was set off on the property.
A sensor in the garage was triggered and cops soon arrived on the scene to investigate a possible break-in following a recent spate of crimes in the area.
Authorities also used a helicopter to search for any possible suspects, but no one was found and the incident was ruled a false alarm, according to TMZ.com.
It is not known if High School Musical choreographer and This Is It director Ortega was at home when the alarm went off.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

A California man has withdrawn his lawsuit against the studio bosses behind THE HANGOVER PART II - just two months after alleging the hit comedy was based on his own experiences.
Michael Alan Rubin turned the events of his hellish honeymoon in Asia into a script entitled Mickey and Kirin, and he took action against the project’s officials in October (11) for reportedly infringing on his copyright by basing The Hangover sequel on his work.
But now Rubin has voluntarily dismissed the suit, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
As WENN went to press, it was not yet known if the two parties had reached a private settlement.
This marks the latest legal triumph for The Hangover Part II bosses - Ed Helms’ acting double, Scott McLean, also recently dropped his lawsuit against studio executives after claiming he suffered significant brain trauma on set during a stunt gone wrong.
Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis also star in the hit franchise.

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Actress JESSICA LANGE has been secretly single for two years - she quietly separated from her longtime partner, playwright/actor SAM SHEPARD, in 2009.
The Oscar winner began dating Shepard in 1982 and the couple has two children together, Hannah and Samuel.
People.com reports the stars called off their romance after 27 years, although they chose to keep the news to themselves.
A source says, "They both are pursuing independent lives." A representative for Lange has since confirmed the split to the website.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

North Korea’s controversial leader KIM JONG-IL has died at the age of 69, according to reports.
Jong-Il passed away on a train while visiting an area outside the capital city of Pyongyang on Saturday (17Dec11) and his death was announced in a "special broadcast" on state-run TV networks on Monday (19Dec11), reports the BBC.
The Communist leader, who suffered diabetes and heart disease, has been in poor health since suffering a stroke in 2008, although his cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Jong-Il took power in the country in 1994 when his father Kim Il Sung died, but became a controversial leader by running a tight regime.
He was widely criticised for alleged human rights abuses and for threatening the stability of the region by pursuing a nuclear weapons programme and testing long-range missiles.
Jong-Il was regularly satirised on animated U.S. comedy South Park, and he was the main villain in the TV hit’s creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s 2004 movie Team America: World Police.
Following the news of his death, several stars took to their Twitter.com accounts to comment on his passing.
In a post, singer Boy George writes, "Kim Jong Il is gone! A united Korea is this possible? Let’s hope so!", while actress and human rights activist Mia Farrow laments, "By most accounts his (equally strange looking) son will bring no change to N Korea." Music mogul Russell Simmons adds, "Praying for peace and prosperity for the North Korean people after the passing of Kim Jong Il." Jong-Il’s third son, Kim Jong Un, was unveiled as his successor last year (10) although an official announcement about the new leader has yet to be made.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

REESE WITHERSPOON is to star in a controversial new movie about the real-life murders of three Arkansas boy scouts.
The actress will portray one of the slain boy’s mothers in the adaptation of Mara Leveritt’s book Devil’s Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The movie, titled Devil’s Knot, is set in 1993, when the three eight year olds were bludgeoned to death.
The murders led to the arrest and conviction of three West Memphis teens, who were released from prison earlier this year (Aug11) after maintaining they did not carry out the slayings.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

BRITNEY SPEARS showed off her new engagement ring over the weekend (17-18Dec11) as she treated her fiance JASON TRAWICK to a 40th birthday party in Las Vegas.
The agent proposed to the Toxic hitmaker in front of her sons Sean Preston, six, and Jayden James, five, earlier this week (end18Dec11).
And Spears couldn’t wait to show off her new diamond as she posed for photographs holding up her left hand as she cuddled and kissed Trawick during his birthday bash.
The couple celebrated Trawick’s milestone birthday at Sin City’s Chateau Night Club, where he was presented with a large cake.
In a series of posts on Twitter.com, Spears writes, "Still glowing! About to jump on a plane to Planet Hollywood in Vegas. Throwing a Bday Party for Jason at Chateau Night Club. So fun.
"Tonight was one of the most magical nights of my life. Such an amazing time with my new fiance and our closest friends and family. Blessed."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

SCARLETT JOHANSSON has reportedly moved on from her split from husband RYAN REYNOLDS by dating British musician DAN ‘SKYWIZARD’ WHITE.
The Lost in Translation star called off her relationship with Reynolds at the end of 2010 and their divorce was finalised in July (11).
Johansson has since dated actor Sean Penn and has also been romantically linked to Bradley Cooper and Justin Timberlake.
But now it appears the actress is dating a new man after stepping out on several occasions with the Tribes guitarist.
A source tells Britain’s Sunday Mirror, "They met in London recently. Scarlett was shooting the film Under The Skin in the U.K. and they were introduced at a club night in town. They got on like a house on fire and Scarlett was into his band’s music.
"There was an instant connection. They’ve been seeing each other for a good few weeks. Dan’s proper (very) happy about it - and what guy wouldn’t be? He already thinks the world of Scarlett.
"Dan thinks she’s an amazing girl. They both have incredibly busy lives but are going to see where things go. Dan’s band Tribes is only just taking off and Scarlett has a lot of work on. So who knows?"

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

British pop star HARRY JUDD has triumphed to become the winner of this year’s (11) series of U.K. show STRICTLY COME DANCING.
The McFly drummer, who was partnered by professional dancer Aliona Vilani, beat actress Chelsee Healey and Australian singer Jason Donovan in the live final on Saturday night (17Dec11).
After impressing the judges and winning full marks for his Argentine Tango, Judd was named the winner of the contest and said as he collected the trophy, "All I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has supported Aliona and I.
"I have had the most incredible experience, thank you. I’ve been on the best show on TV and I’m just honoured. I was so nervous when I first started, I didn’t think I’d be able to do it, but Aliona has got me through it." When host Bruce Forsyth announced the results, the musician’s bandmates Tom Fletcher, Dougie Poynter and Danny Jones all stormed on to the stage to congratulate the star.
Donovan was placed third in the show, with Healey coming second.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Grammy award-winning African singer CESARIA EVORA has died, aged 70.
The singer, nicknamed the "barefoot diva" for always performing on stage without footwear, passed away at a hospital in Mindelo, on her native island of Sao Vicente in Cape Verde, on Saturday (17Dec11).
Announcing the news on her label Lusafrica’s website, a representative writes, "Cesaria Evora has passed away today saturday December 17th in Mindelo on her native island of Sao Vicente at hospital Baptista de Sousa… May she rest in peace." Evora was forced to retire in September (11) due to ill health and underwent open-heart surgery last year (10).
Orphaned at a young age, she began her career singing in bars in her local African town as a teenager, and performed on cruise ships throughout the 1960s.
She was then invited to sing in Portugal, where she was spotted by musician Jose da Silva, who invited her to record for the first time in Paris, France.
From the 1980s she became internationally successful with her albums, going on to win a Grammy award in 2003 for her record Voz d’Amor in the World Music category.
After retiring in September (11) she said, "I have no strength, no energy. I want you to say to my fans: forgive me, but now I need to rest. I infinitely regret having to stop because of illness, I would have wanted to give more pleasure to those who have followed me for so long."

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Teen pop star SELENA GOMEZ has axed two Christmas concerts over the weekend (17-18Dec11) after her mother suffered a miscarriage.
The Disney star was ecstatic when her mother Mandy Teefey revealed she was expecting a sibling for the star last month (Nov11).
Gomez wrote on Twitter.com after hearing the news, "Momma and (stepfather) Brian are finally letting me share the news. My mommys carrying my baby brother or sister. I’m the happiest girl in the world." But now Gomez has dropped her scheduled performances to support her family after her mum reportedly lost the baby on Saturday (17Dec11).
She was due to perform at the B96 Jingle Bash 2011 at the Allstate Arena near Chicago, Illinois on Saturday (17Dec11), and on Sunday (18Dec11) at 106.1 KISS FM’s Jingle Bell Bash in Seattle, Washington.
The singer’s representative revealed Gomez had axed the shows due to a "family emergency", and confirmed to GossipCop.com her mum had suffered a miscarriage.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

BACKSTREET BOYS star A.J. MCLEAN has married his longtime girlfriend at a ceremony in Los Angeles, after initially postponing the nuptials for a stint in rehab earlier this year (11).
The singer proposed to girlfriend Rochelle Deanna Karidis while he was celebrating his 32nd birthday in a Las Vegas nightclub in January last year (10).
They initially planned to marry in May (11), but McLean checked into rehab earlier this year (11) to seek treatment "for personal reasons", causing them to delay the wedding.
But the pair has now exchanged vows in front of stars including singer Joey McIntyre, comedienne Kathy Griffin and McLean’s Backstreet Boys bandmates Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough and Nick Carter on Saturday (17Dec11).
Taking to Twitter.com ahead of the wedding, McLean wrote, "Wedding is tomorrow, Ro and I could barely sleep last night, I think we’re a little excited!"

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

WHOOPI GOLDBERG has confessed she used to make extra cash as a phone sex operator.
The Sister Act star started talking dirty in a bid to supplement her income when she was struggling to make ends meet while chasing her acting dreams in Hollywood.
Revealing her big secret on U.S. talk show The View on Friday (16Dec11), Goldberg insists the phone job helped her become a better actress: "What you have to do is you have to be a good actor… When I was younger, the money was great." But she fears it’s not a job she can return to now she’s a big star, insisting, "People would know my voice."

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ROBERT DOWNEY, JR upset the world’s foremost SHERLOCK HOLMES expert by calling the super sleuth’s sidekick by his first name in his new movie.
The actor befriended Malibu, California-based tax lawyer Leslie Klinger while preparing to play Holmes in Guy Ritchie’s sequel Game of Shadows but they fell out when the know-all saw the film for the first time.
Downey, Jr says, "I guess I dropped the ball. He was very upset… I said, ‘Les, what happened?’ He said, ‘You called him John!’ I was like, ‘John Watson, that’s his name…’ "He goes, ‘He would never call him John. Only call him Watson or Mr. Watson…’ It didn’t feel right when I said it; I should have trusted my instinct." And the actor insists he has taken Klinger’s comments about his portrayal very seriously: "Thank God there are experts. People take (Arthur Conan) Doyle’s interpretations of these characters so seriously. They’re fantastic books."

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